Students in trouble

Central College students during the Drug Awareness Day in Lautoka yesterday. Picture: BALJEET SINGH

POLICE are still catching children loitering in town during school hours and even indulging in activities such as glue sniffing, smoking of cigarettes and drinking alcohol.

This was revealed by deputy divisional police commander West Superintendent of Police Henry Steele during the International Day Against Drug Abuse celebrations at Jasper Williams Primary School in Lautoka yesterday.

"These children are often brought to the stations where we make contact with their schools and parents for them to come to the police station for a special meeting," he said.

"In this meeting, we warn both the students and parents on the movement during these school hours and inform them of the consequences of their actions. The children are also warned that if they are found the second time for a similar incident, they are taken to the station for investigation purposes."

He informed the students there were many reasons people turned to drugs.

"When you grow older, problems will occur at the same time but taking drugs is never an option for you to relieve your stress or problem in.

"People who resort to drugs at this stage never end up in successful places. Instead, they end up in places like St Giles Hospital, in prisons, hospitals and even kept in special facilities to be looked after by designated people.

"They are regarded a risk to society and vice versa as they are not sufficient enough to provide for their own. So, if you do not want to end up in one of these places, say a strong no to drugs at all times."